Photos: United Nations Day 2023
The event, held annually on the Mookini library lanai, gives everyone a glimpse into the many different countries and cultures represented on campus.
All photos in this post are courtesy of UH Hilo’s International Student Services & Intercultural Education program.
The International Student Association at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo presented the 2023 United Nations Day on Oct. 20. The event, held annually on the Mookini library lanai, gives everyone a glimpse into the many different countries and cultures represented on campus.
With students from about 35 different countries at UH Hilo, the university community lives, studies, and learns with an amazingly diverse group of students. U.S. News and World Report has ranked UH Hilo the most ethnically diverse campus among national universities for many years.
The world celebrates United Nations Day to honor the United Nations organization. This year is a special year because the United Nations has turned 75 years old. There are 193 member countries of the United Nations.
From opening remarks at UH Hilo’s 2023 United Nations Day event:
The United Nations promotes human rights, social progress, and world peace. Promoting world peace is especially important at this time in light of the events happening in Palestine and Israel. As the Secretary-General for the United Nations said: “Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization.”
“An event like today’s United Nations Day is a time when we demonstrate unity and community among different people and nations of the world Our shared humanity during this time calls for us to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. Acts of war, hate, and intolerance are in opposition to our values as international students. We believe in the power of people-to-people exchange as a way to create a more peaceful and just world. International students are here to show that aloha and unity among different people is possible and powerful.
The program opened with a performance featuring taiko drumming from Japan, followed by the Parade of Nations, and then singing and dancing by students from the cultures represented.
PUNA TAIKO
HAWAI‘I
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NORWAY
JAPAN
KOSRAE, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
BARBADOS
THAILAND
ESWATINI
YAP, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
BULGARIA
ETHIOPIA
NEW ZEALAND
POHNPEI, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
SWEDEN
CHINA
GERMANY
SOLOMON ISLANDS
PALAU
COLOMBIA
MARSHALL ISLANDS
MEXICO
FIJI
SOUTH KOREA
RŪCHŪ
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
SAMOA
Missing from photos: Argentina, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Kiribati, Paraguay, and Taiwan.